The 29-year-old soldier was with 11 others who were occupying a compound as they tried to provide a secure area for an explosives-clearance operation to take place when the blast occurred at 0626 local time.

He was part of a team that had spent the previous four months providing security to the villages of Enezai and Char Coucha.

Lt Sanderson had studied at Bradfield College and Exeter University before joining the Royal Marines.

He trained on the Young Officers' Course at Lympstone and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He joined the Mercian Regiment in April last year.

He also spent some time working in the financial sector.

His commanding officer, Lt Col Andy Hadfield, said Lt Sanderson was a "big-hearted, strong and imaginative" soldier, who cared about his peers.

In a statement issued by the MoD, he said: "John was forthright, had an opinion on most things, and was always optimistic. He offered solutions to problems, and was full of ideas for future events, well thought-out and passionately delivered.

All the lads loved him as the boss and he would do anything for anyonePte Blake Grimshaw

"He cared deeply for his men, and this was obvious from the outset; they responded brilliantly to his loyalty and leadership.

"He was extremely keen to deploy to Afghanistan to work to improve the lives of the ordinary Afghan people and he relished the challenge of service in this, so very dangerous, country."

Pte Blake Grimshaw described Lt Sanderson as a "true inspiration".

"From the day I met him he was always talking about rugby and getting massive in the gym," he said.

"He was undoubtedly a man for the lads. He would always crack jokes and boost the men's morale when we were down.

"He loved the fact that we were 1 Platoon, the best platoon in his eyes.

"All the lads loved him as the boss and he would do anything for anyone."